E-mail this article

Sending your article

Your article has been sent.

The Boston College football team has its third offensive coordinator in as many years, as well as some big holes to fill, and thus has a lot to address in spring practice.

The Eagles had their first scrimmage of the spring Saturday and showed that they have been tackling those issues.

“It was a good start,’’ coach Frank Spaziani repeated three times. “We came out with some edge, and it was a good start with some new coaches and some young players.’’

Junior quarterback Chase Rettig took the majority of the first-team snaps and completed 10 of 17 attempts. He threw three touchdown passes, all for about 20 yards.

“I think he managed the game well,’’ Spaziani said. “It’s his first time under fire with the new stuff and I think he handled it real well. He’s been having a good spring so far.’’

Sophomore quarterback Josh Bordner played mostly with the second team, but got a few snaps with the first team. He hit Spiffy Evans with a 40-yard touchdown pass and completed 8 of 15 attempts.

Sophomore Tahj Kimble got the largest share of time at running back, about 60 percent of the plays. Junior Andre Williams took about 30 percent, with Rolandan Finch playing the rest.

Both Kimble and Williams broke through for touchdowns, Kimble with a 20-yard run and Williams a 30-yarder.

Sophomore defensive ends Brian Mihalik (6 feet 8 inches) and Mehdi Abdesmad (6-6) showed that they could be forces to be reckoned with. Each broke up passes at the line of scrimmage.

“That’s what’s good about a scrimmage, as far as a practice,’’ Spaziani said. “There aren’t coaches out there telling you what to do.

“You’re playing football, so we’ll see a couple different things.’’

This was the first time BC’s linebackers were tested with out tackle machine Luke Kuechly. The Butkus Award winner stood on the sideline as Steele Divitto, Sean Duggan, Nick Clancy, and Nick Lifka divvied up the snaps.

Sophomore Kevin Pierre-Louis was sidelined because of injury.

Many Eagles were on the sideline as they recover from injuries, but such is the nature of spring ball.

The three defensive backs who saw the most playing time last year - C.J. Jones, Sean Sylvia, and Manuel Asprilla - were all out, prompting Spaziani to throw redshirt freshman kicker Joey Launceford in at cornerback.

“Spring is about not beating anybody, and not about the team,’’ Spaziani said. “It’s about individuals getting better.

“We’ve got to have enough guys to line up and then other guys can practice.’’